Netflix Black Mirror: Everything you need to know about series 3

THE new series is set to be released on Netflix this week.

Series three of Black Mirror is released on Netflix this week [Netflix]

Charlie Brooker fans have been waiting for a new Black Mirror episode since 2014's White Christmas episode.

Here's everything you need to know about the new release...

When is it on?

The first two series of Charlie Brooker's drama were broadcast on Channel 4, but the third series will be released on Netflix.

The first six new episodes of Black Mirror will be available on Netflix from October 21st 2016.

Mackenzie Davis in 'San Junipero' [Netflix]

How many episodes will here be?

Netflix have ordered twelve episodes of the show, but only six will be released in October 2016. It is not yet clear when the second six episodes will become available.

What's it about?

Creator Charlie Brooker explains: "We're living in a time of immense flux and change. It's exciting but it's worrisome, and I guess this show is reflecting that- no pun intended."

"Because we're doing six (episodes), we wanted more variance in tone than we'd had before."

Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis [Netflix]

Executive producer Annabel Jones adds: "Black Mirror is a very contemporary show, in that it explores the themes and the issues that tap into contemporary fears and things that people don't even realise they're concerned about yet."

Directed by Joe Wright, who directed Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, episode one is called "Nosedive".

It follows insecure office worker Lacie, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, who lives in a happy, smiley, status-obsessed nightmare world.

Her old friend Naomi is one of society's elites, and Lacie may have found a way to join her....

Episode two

"Play Test" stars Wyatt Russell, who is also in 22 Jump Street, as Cooper, a thrill-seeking American who visits Britain and hooks up with Sonja, played by Hannah John- Carmen.

He tests a game so advanced, it's terrifying.

Episode three

"Shut Up and Dance" is a modern- day horror story.

When withdrawn 19-year-old Kenny (Alex Lawther) stumbles headlong into an online trap, and is quickly forced into an uneasy alliance with shifty Hector (Jerome Flynn).

Jerome Flynn and Alex Lawther [Netflix]

Episode four

Entitled "San Junipero", this episode differs as while most Black Mirror episodes are set in the future, this one takes place largely in the 1980s, in California.

San Junipero is a fun-loving beach town, and for recent arrivals Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis) and Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) it's going to be a life changer...

Episode five

"Men against fire" stars Malachi Kirby as soldier Stripe, and Madeline Brewer as Raiman, who must protest frightened villagers from an infestation of vicious feral mutants. They have the technological edge, but will they survive?

Malachi Kirby [Laurie Sparham/Netflix]

Episode six

"Hated in the Nation"- envisage near-future london.

Police detective Karin Parke (Kelly Macdonald) and her sidekick Blue (Faye Marsay) investigate a string of mysterious deaths with a sinister link to social media.

Bryce Dallas Howard stars in 'Nosedive' [Netflix ]

Are the first two series still available?

Yes- the first two series of Black Mirror can be streamed on Channel 4's streaming service, All4, and they're also being streamed on Netflix so you can catch up.